Holding and packaging means for pharmaceutical phials and the like



May 27, 1952 J. HOLDING AND BOES PACKAGING MEANS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PHIALS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Jean Boas Attorneys May 27, 1952 Filed May 21, 1949 J. BOES 2,598,492 HOLDING AND PACKAGIN .EANS FOR PHARMAC I ALS AND T L E 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 V Inventor- Jealz 500% By I Attornegs May 27, 1952 J. BOES HOLDING AND PACKAGING MEANS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PHIALS AND THE LIKE Filed May 21, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inve ntor Abb urn egs Patented May 27, 1952 2,598,492 F F I C E HOLDING AND PACKAGIN G MEANS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL PHIALS AND THE LIKE Jean Boes, Boinvilliers par Vert, France Application May 21, 1949, Serial No. 94,634 In France May 26, 1948 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to holding and supporting means and, more particularly, such means for carrying a number of pharmaceutical, or the like, phials.

The main object of the invention resides in the provision of means for the convenient and im proved support of phials during the filling thereof, sealing, sterilization, control, conditioning, transport and, eventually, the resilient mounting in a packing container.

Another object of the invention contemplates a phial support constituted of a single element capable of holding a number of units of various lengths but of substantially constant diameter.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a holder of the character described which is inexpensive, easy to use and make and which is efficient for the purpose in view.

It is a feature of the invention that the phial holder conceived be formed of a single fiat strip of essentially rigid material, but elastically constituted, andprovided with transverse projections associated in pairs to provide open clamping collars.

As a further characteristic of the invention, it is intended that the collars of the supporting strip be so calculated in size, with respect to the phials diameter, that a slight convex camber be imparted to the assembly. Thus, a number of phials can be held together elastically, in parallel arrangement, and manipulated simultaneously as a unit through the entire process of manufacture.

It is an additional advantage of the invention that the inexpensive holder be used also for holding the phials in their packing box, said invention contemplating also a packing container adapted to hold the phial support in a resilient manner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the description to follow.

As examples, and for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments of the invention are shown in the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a holder according to the invention, carrying a number of phials;

Figure 2 is a transverse section of the holder taken on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the holder proper, without phials;

Figure 4 is a plan view of said holder;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken on line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the holder as in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modifie form of supporting strip;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of such a strip with inserted phials;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the strip of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a still modified form of the strip of Figure 7, using wire as a forming medium;

Figure 11 is a fractional perspective view of a further modification of the holder, embodying a rigid base strip with inserted flexible clips forming the phial-receiving collars;

Figure 12 is a plan view of such a holder partly filled with phials Figure 13 is an end elevation view of the holder filled with phials;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the wire clip used for the holder of Figure 11.

Figures-15 and 16 show, in plan views, multiple blanks of the strip of Figure 4, said strips being held together in parallel formation by lateral and end tearing lugs, respectively;

Figures 17 and 18 show, as in the preceding figures, strip blanks in end-to-end arrangement;

Figure 19 shows in plan view a packing container designed to receive the holder of Figure 1;

Figure 20 is a side elevational View through the container taken on line 20-20 of Figure 19;

Figure 21 is another side elevation through a modified form of container;

Figure 22 is a plan view of a strip according to Figure 4 but provided with end claws;

Figure 23 is another form of strip with single end claws;

Figure 24 is a side elevation through a container embodying the strip of Figure 23;

Figure 25 is still a modified form of container for receiving the strip of Figure 3, and

Figure 26 is a perspective view of a strip according to Figure 3 but modified to include rolled ends, whereby said strip can be stood upright during manipulation of the phials and frictionally inserted in a suitable container.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters represent corresponding parts throughout, the reference letter H indicates generally, in all modifications, the holder proper, as a unit adapted to receive a plurality of phials.

Similarly, the letter C designates the packing container, in all its forms. The phials are represented by the letter D.

Considering, now, the preferred concept of the invention, namely: the flexible holder of Figures 1 to 5, it is seen that said holder consists of a base strip 26 of any suitable material having inherent rigidity and of a thickness such as to provide the required flexibility and strength for the purpose in view. Consequently, metals, plastics and even stiff paper can be used.

Said strip is of a length such as to accommodate more than one phial in parallel, closely nested position, as shown, the width corresponding substantially to that of the cylindrical portion of the phials.

In any suitable manner, as by punching, a plurality of lugs are struck from the strip proper which, after being .bent right-angularly and slightly curved at the end, form the phial-holding fingers 21. Two rows of such fingers are provided, arranged in spaced parallel relation longitudinally of the strip. The fingers of each row are substantially aligned transversely with a corresponding finger of the opposite row, to form transverse pairs of fingers defining therebetween spaces S (Fig. 4) slightly, if at all, smaller than the mean diameter of phials to be received therein.

As shown to advantage in Figs. 4 and 5, the curved ends of the fingers, forming lips 29, are all directed in the same direction, in one row, and directed in the opposite direction, in the other facing row. Consequently, each transverse pair of fingers has its. lips divergent, that is: oppositely directed, and the fingers of alternate pairs converging together to form phial-receiving collars. So, when the phials are in place, as shown in Fig. l, the said phials are embraced by alternate fingers in staggered formation.

Therefore, the distance between converging lips is somewhat less than the diameter of a phial, whereby the insertion of a phial in its collar is preferably a sliding action along its longitudinal axis, the loading or the holder H being effectuated in any order.

Since the width of the collars is slightly less or at most equal to, the diameter of the phials. it is necessary to exert a certain force thereon: except for the end fingers 28 which can yield sidewise, the intermediate fingers bear against an adjacent phial and, accordingly, are not yieldable. Consequently, the forcing of the phials in their collars results in a slight camber imparted to the strip 25 itself, as illustrated specifically in Figs. 1 and 6, said camber causin the collars to spread open while remaining perpendicular to said strip.

Removal of the phials is eilectuated by a simple pulling action, the fingers being then easily opened to allow the phial withdrawal.

Whenever a very elastic metal or plastic is used for forming the strip 23, it is evident that upon "einoval of the phials said strip will resume automatically original plane form. In the case of softer metals, or stilt paper, however, the elasticity be sufficient to insure perfect support of phials during manipulation and even packaging, although it may not be adequate for reuse of the holder. But since used packages are usually discarded, or disposed of, the lack of elasticity the holders for re-use is not considered a disadvantage.

A modification of the invention is shown in Figs. 7 S-9 which consists essentially of a long narrow strip 35} of suitable material having suitable elasticity. This strip has a bead 3| at both ends a: :l is bent to asstune a generally corrugated shape: the corrugations 3! are cylindrical iii) in form, each constituting a phial-receiving collar open at the top and each connected to an adjacent one by a rolled portion 32, the space between each pair of said portions defin ng a restricted mouth.

The insertion, or removal, of the phials can be effectuated as follows:

Either by forcing the phial into its correspondcollar,

Or by bending the strip backwards so as to open the mouths of the collars and, th reafter, slipping the phials therein.

In any case, when the holder has been filled, the spreading apart of the collars by the slightly larger phials, said holder will be cambered as in Fig. l, for the same reason.

As an extension of the same modification, shown in Fig. 10, the holder H is formed of a wire bent and rolled to provide collars 35 joined by the rolls 3%, two of such wire forms being joined together, by crossbars 32', to constitute a rectangular frame having vary substantially the same characteristics as the holder of Fi 7.

Still another modification is shown in Figs. 11 to 14 wherein an essentially rigid base strip is provided with inherently resilient clips adapted to frictionally secure a phial at the middle thereof. Such a clip is shown in Fig. 14 and will be seen to consist of two triangular arms ljoined together by the base crossbar 42, the free ends of the arms being bent towards each other and parallel to the crossbar, thereby forming the legs 43. The parallel arms ll define therebetween a collar adapted to receive snugly a phial P, said phial being retained, furthermore, by the side projections constituted by flats made at the apices of the triangles by a simple pressing operation.

As shown to advantage in Fig. 11, the clips are held onto the strip ill, in spaced arrangement, by folding over the bar 52 and legs iii the marginal side edge 35 of the strip, said edge being rolled around the lower part of the arms to secure same against longitudinal displacement on the strip. Consequently, when the phials are inserted, or removed, the arms are spread apart as the largest diameter of the phials encounters the restricted space defined between the flats 3 3 of each clip, the natural elasticity of the clips, however, closing the arms against the phials, or to their original position, as the case may be. Obviously, this type of holder is of a more or less permanent nature and may be desirable for specific conditions of manipulation or packaging.

As an example or" the manner in which the strips 25 (Fig. 1) may be punched, on a production basis, especially where cheapness is a factor, said strip may be die-cut in parallel, or end-toend, arrangement in a single blank embodying a great number of said strips. This is shown in Figs. 15 to 18, wherein the strips 25 are held together, or to marginal tapes 4'5, by means or" reduced frangible lugs 47. Thus, any number of strips may be conveniently held together for easier storage and shipping, individual elements being easily separated from the main blank body, as the need arises. Of course, this particular embodiment is specially adaptable to the use of soft metals, plastics and even cardboard, stir'i paper and the like pasteboard.

Various forms of packaging are shown in Figs. 192021 and 25, using the holder of Fig. 1. In the form of Figs. 19-20, a box 56 is provided on one side with a partition 5i held to the adjacent sides by the flaps 52. Said partition does not extend quite to the bottom of the box, but is raised slightly therefrom, as shown in Fig. 20, to allow passage thereunder of one end of holder H. The other end of said holder is retained under the lower edge of bracket 53 stuck to the opposite side of the box, said bracket having its vertical ends 5 folded inwardly defining a slot in which the end of the holder is slid and held against lateral displacement. The dimensions of the box are so chosen that the cambered and filled holder may be secured at one end by the bracket and, at the other, by the partition against which the end phial rests. The resiliency of the whole assembly retains the holder securely in place. 7

In the form of packing container shown in Fig. 21, the dimensions of the box 55 are such that the end phials of the holder contact the sides 5'5 of the box, slits 51 being formed at the lower edge of said sides 56 to allow passage of the strip ends. The holder is therefore retained in place, unless the said holder be cambered suificiently for its ends to be withdrawn from the slits 51.

As a further embodiment of packaging, utilizing a slightly modified holder strip, Figs. 22 and 23 illustrate holders H provided with end claws 63, either single (Fig. 23) or dual (Fig. 22). Said claws are pointed projections formed at the free ends of a strip 66 in all other respects similar to that of Fig. 1. The arrangement of such holders in a container is shown in Fig. 24: the box 6! is only slightly shorter than the strip 66 and, consequently, the points of the claws 66 penetrate superficially the side walls 62. Since the said claws are angularly directed upwardly, they resist successfully any natural tendency of the filled holder to move upwardly, while entering the box readily from above.

Another form of packaging container is shown in Fig. 25 wherein a holder H is secured to the bottom of a box or, preferably, to an auxiliary bottom sheet 65 in which spaced parallel slits 69 are made near the opposite sides 61 of the box. A holder of the type shown in Fig. 1 has its ends inserted in said slits, one of said ends 68 extending a longer distance than normal from the end finger 28. This end 68 is first inserted in one slit 69 and pushed until the other end of the strip is in position to enter the other slit 69: the

holder is then withdrawn from the first slit until the end finger 28 of the strip abuts against the edge of said first slit. The holder is thus held securely in place if the slits have been properly spaced apart.

A final embodiment of the holder H is depicted in Fig. 26: this holder is similar to that of Fig. 1, with the exception of the rolled ends, forming cylinders H1, of a size such as to allow the strip to stand edgewise. the phials are displayed and held in vertical position for filling, inspecting, labelling, etc. operations. Numerous advantages may accrue from this manner of mounting the phials: advertising displays can be easily arranged, manipulation in manufacture greatly simplified and certain processing steps rendered feasible thereby, such as the automatic fiame-sealing of the phials by conveying same, in upstanding position, under a sealing header. The packaging of such holders is easily visualized, also, by'using the natural resiliency of the cylinders 76 to hold the assembly in a container, such as that f Fi 24.

From the foregoing, it should be evident that the present invention is an advance in the art of manipulating, holding, displaying and packaging pharmaceutical phials, or the like cylindrical bodies.

Notwithstanding the fact that the invention provides phial-holding means which are extremely economical, nevertheless said means constitute improved supports facilitating handling during manufacture, representing a saving of labour and time, and having enhanced advertising and packaging possibilities, while being extremely versatile in applications.

It must be understood that various changes as to the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined P claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. A phial holder comprising a resilient elongated base strip, a plurality of phial-clamping fingers struck from, and integral with, the base In this position,

strip and extendin g perpendicularly therefrom, said fingers being disposed in longitudinal rows and aligned transversely in spaced pairs, and curved lips formed at the ends of the fingers, said lips all being directed one way in one row, of fingers and directed in the opposite direction in the other row, the fingers in any longitudinal rows being spaced such a length as to be outwardly urged upon insertion of a phial therebetween, said insertion causing said base strip to assume cambered position.

2. In phial-holding and packaging means, a parallelepipedic container, an elongated narrow strip of flexible material held in cambered position within said container, upstanding fingers projecting from said strip in transversely aligned pairs defining phial-receiving collars, claws at the ends of said strip superficially penetrating the inside of the container, and phials held side by side on each side of said fingers and transversely of said strip.

3. In phial-receiving means, a resilient elongated normally fiat base strip, a plurality of phial-clamping fingers, said fingers being struck from, and integral with, the base strip to extend perpendicularly therefrom, said fingers being disposed in longitudinal rows and aligned transversely in pairs to define transverse phial clamping collars on each side of said fingers, the spacing between two adjacent fingers in a longitudinal row being of a length slightly smaller than the width of said phials so that said fingers are urged outwardly upon insertion of said phials therebetween, said insertion causing said resilient base strip to assume a cambered position.

4. In phial-receiving means as claimed in claim 3, claws at the ends of said strip for superficially penetrating the inside of a container.

5. In phial-holding means, as claimed in claim 4, said claws upwardly inclined to facilitate insertion of said strip into said container but to prevent its removal therefrom.

6. A phial holder comprising in combination a container, an elongated narrow strip of flexible resilient material held in cambered position within said container, upstanding fingers projecting from said strip in longitudinal rows and in transversely aligned pairs, a cylindrical phial received between each successive pair and transversely of said strip the longitudinal spacing between each said successive pair being less than the diameter of said phials to cause said cambered position of said strip upon insertion of said phials between said pairs of fingers, and upwardly inclined claws at the ends of said strip superficially penetrating the inside of the container.

JEAN Boiis.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 118,045 Ignall et a1 Dec. 12, 1939 450,858 Zan Apr. 21, 1891 593,312 Schandein et a1 Nov. 9, 1897 664,475 Graves Dec. 25, 1900 632,086 Schweitzer Oct. 2, 1906 884,315 Carroll Apr. '7, 1908 1,688,983 OKeefe Oct. 23, 1928 1,932,353 Pflueger Oct. 24, 1933 1,953,627 Overholtz Apr. 3, 1934 2,076,941 Farr Apr. 3, 193'? 2,280,003 Pearson Apr. 14, 1942 

